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A critique of Not Afraid by Eminem
I have selected one of the most popular songs by Marshal Bruce Mathers 111 commonly
known as Eminem, which was a hit in the year April 29, 2010. He is recognized to be one of the most influential and successful characters in the music industry due to his multi-talent capabilities. With his hit songs, he has made a legacy which will progress even to the next generations. In the video Not Afraid, he explains his past challenges in dealing with dugs violence and crime. The song’s lyrics convey a strong message on his transformations and motivations to pressing on without fear. The composition of Not Afraid is hip hop based though when someone listens to it for the first time, it may sound like a Christian hip hop. At the beginning of the lyrics, he says, “you can try to read my lyrics off this paper before I lay em’, but you won’t take the sting out of these words before I say em.”
By using such statements, he dismisses the claims of individuals who did not value his worth. , Mathers reference demons in his rap by illustrating his past experiences and how he is yet to overwhelm them. For instance, he said, “I just can’t keep living this way, so starting today, I’m breaking out of this cage.” Eminem portrays himself as a champion when he claims that “I decided to get clean, I did it for me, admittedly I probably did it subliminally for you so that I could come back a brand-new me, you helped see me through.” There is an inclusion of Christian culture both in the lyrics and the video of the song. The essence of abandoning darkness and opting to light is a primary theme portrayed in Christianity faith and in the video too. The picture is observed where Eminem breaks through a dark basement and seek light in the city. Eminem emulates glamour in the video when he falls off from a tall building cliff and navigates an intricate street without getting hurt. Through an interview on his website, Mathers claims to be having a better feeling than ever before. Somehow he appears invincible, and he summons people to him by saying, “I guess I had to go to that place to get to this one. Now some of you might still be in that place. If you are trying to get out, follow me, I’ll get you there.” Not afraid is seen from different perspectives of life by igniting the idea of independence to the notion of perfecting oneself and to emulating how Eminem equivalents himself to Christ by summoning others to follow his footsteps. In my opinion, Eminem portrayed how
Despite the positive messages on the song, people had mixed perceptions about the song with others criticizing it that Eminem used anger in his voice, thus affecting his lyrics. Critics had it that the song had lyrical hooks un-engaging choruses and irregular beats synchronized with endless pools of emotions and wits. Others claimed that the song was powerless as compared to his previous hits, for example, the Beautiful and sing for the moment. I enjoy the song “Not Afraid” since it gives a clear reflection on most people’s lives; for instance, what demons are and how to make a change towards overcoming the demons.